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APRIL 2020 Edition Fraternal Order of Police Fraternal Order of Police Wellness Services Impacts of Stress and Fatigue Strategies for Better Health Stress is part of the law enforcement profession There is a wealth of evidence and research showing that unmanaged stress can lead to anxiety depression and post traumatic stress disorder PTSD However many officers may lack awareness of the long term effects of chronic fatigue and the relationship between stress and fatigue Not getting enough rest and not eating properly in order to fuel the body can increase the effects of fatigue Being fatigued on duty causes many issues such as poor decision making and other cognitive task difficulties When stress is preventing normal sleep times 6 to 8 hours recommended an officer can quickly encounter sleep deprivation A study conducted in 2011 compared the effects of sleep deprivation to excessive drinking of alcohol and found the effects on a driver were very similar Both sleep deprivation and alcohol caused impaired speech inability to balance impaired eye hand coordination and falling asleep behind the wheel Continued www fop net

APRIL 2020 Edition 701 Marriott Dr Nashville TN 37214 615 399 0900 or 800 451 2711 Fax 615 399 0400 Sherri Martin Director of Wellness Services National Executive Board Patrick Yoes President Joe Gamaldi Vice President Jimmy Holderfield Secretary Tom Penoza Treasurer Les Neri 2nd Vice President Keith Turney Sgt at Arms Rob Pride Chairman of Trustees Wellness Committee 701 Marriott Dr Nashville TN Sherri37214 Martin Chair Bourret 615 Darrin 399 0900 or Michael Haley 800 451 2711 Sean Harper Fax 615 399 0400 Brian Nanavaty Corey Nooner Mike Violette www fop net

APRIL 2020 Edition Strategies for Better Health continued Senjo 2011 When officers are constantly fatigued they often do not find the time to unwind change gears and enjoy their time off away from the job Effects of Fatigue on Performance A 2012 study on police officer fatigue revealed the following alarming facts Basi ska Wiciak 2012 Fatigued officers Use more sick time Have difficulty managing successful personal relationships Have time management issues reporting for duty on time Make mistakes on departmental and court paperwork Tend to sleep on duty Generate higher rates of citizen complaints for reported misconduct Tend to have problems communicating with supervisors and have stressful relationships with superiors Have problems testifying in court regarding being prepared Experience more accidental injuries on duty Early retirement often due to burnout Are at a higher risk of being seriously injured or killed because of lack of focus and not recognizing danger signs Current manpower issues caused by issues with recruiting and retaining officers have led to already overworked officers working double shifts special patrol details and second jobs Studies have shown that fatigued officers have performance issues on Continued www fop net

APRIL 2020 Edition Strategies for Better Health continued and off duty Many are willing to sacrifice their health and safety by accepting additional work to provide the extra income for their families despite the warning signs caused by working while fatigued Recent studies show that police culture still supports the mentality that working more is better for your career despite the data that chronic fatigue causes serious performance and health issues Basi ska Wiciak 2012 Senjo 2011 Fatigued officers Have impaired judgment Experience weight gain or unhealthy weight loss Show an increase in and presence of severe mood swings Demonstrate impaired eye hand coordination Have increased anxiety or depression Have increased substance abuse addiction Show increased gastrointestinal problems Have increased reports of back pain and frequent headaches Have increased chance of PTSD Demonstrate inappropriate reactions to a situation excessive use of force Show increased risk of serious health problems such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease www fop net Continued

APRIL 2020 Edition Strategies for Better Health continued Steps to Reduce Police Fatigue Given the current circumstances in our profession the workload of officers is not apt to soon decrease However there are things that officers can do Officers can control how they choose to react to stressful incidents acknowledge that fatigue plays a direct role on personal stress levels Officers will react as they have been trained when they are properly rested and alert In addition law enforcement officers can 1 Plan meals and make healthy eating choices and stop eating high calorie fast food 2 Plan vacation and downtime Write it down and stick to it 3 See your doctor regularly for checkups 4 Share the workload and reduce the amount of overtime 5 Live within your means so that moonlighting that second job is not necessary 6 Create a realistic exercise program and form healthy habits 7 Create a Patrol Buddy program and make time to check on each other 8 Keep your civilian friends and get away from the job no shop talk on downtime www fop net

APRIL 2020 Edition Approved Providers How the FOP Is Finding the Best One of the highest priorities of the Officer Wellness Committee is identifying professional mental health service providers that specialize in working with members of law enforcement The Committee seeks several key characteristics when vetting programs facilities and practitioners In evaluating inpatient treatment facilities the Committee looks first for a program dedicated only to first responders Members of the Committee physically visit the location to view the programs and facilities and to meet with staff and clients We ask for access to all parts of the grounds and we speak to first responder clients faceto face to gain an honest perspective of their experiences at the facility We talk with facility administration about payment arrangements and we walk through the intake and treatment process for potential clients Such an indepth evaluation is what we believe our members deserve www fop net

APRIL 2020 Edition The National Board recently approved partnerships with two facilities which we would like to introduce to our members Chateau Recovery in Midway Utah provides a serene environment with the feel of a mountain lodge Chateau s First Responder Resiliency Program helps first responders gain the tools to build resiliency process stress and cope with trauma The program offers substance abuse treatment and peer support from fellow first responders throughout the process Further information can be found at www chateaurecovery com firstresponders Transformations Treatment Center in Delray Beach Florida provides a well rounded program within their Help Four Our Heroes track Within an educational type setting clients at Transformations are able to participate in guiding their own recovery by choosing from a variety of scheduled group programs for healing including adventure therapy and musical therapy The Help For Our Heroes Program also provides intensive substance abuse treatment as well as programs for families of first responders Further information can be found at www helpforourheroes com The Officer Wellness Committee has plans to visit several other facilities in the coming months in order to increase the list of FOP vetted and approved options for our members To recommend a facility or inquire further about our partners or the approval process contact the Officer Wellness Committee at officerwellness fop net www fop net

APRIL 2020 Edition www fop net